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chemistry studies

melany
Initiate

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Joined: Jun 09, 2008
Location: Germany
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Posted 06/09/08 - 05:06 AM: Subject: chemistry studies	#1
hey... is anyone here studying chemistry..? Then I have some questions: 1) why do you study it 2) where are you studying and why 3) which university would you recommend, for what reasons thx, mel

Prime_Mover
Alpha/Omega

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Joined: Mar 21, 2008
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Posted 06/09/08 - 06:34 AM:	#2
Well, I graduated many years ago, but I minored in chemistry and work in a biochemistry-oriented position. melany wrote: 1) why do you study it Chemistry is the central science because of its role in connecting “hard sciences” such as physics with the “soft sciences” such as biology, medicine, and the earth sciences, which is reason enough to study chemistry. The central role of chemistry can be seen in the systematic and hierarchical classification of the sciences in which each dislipline provides a more general framework for the area it precedes (mathematics → astronomy → physics → chemistry → physiology and medicine → social sciences). Chemistry is built on an understanding of laws of physics that govern particles such as atoms, protons, electrons, thermodynamics. Concepts such as the periodicity of the elements and chemical bonds in chemistry are emergent in that they are more than the underlying forces that are defined by physics. In the same way biology cannot be fully reduced to chemistry despite the fact that the machinery that is responsible for life is composed of molecules. For instance, the machinery of evolution may be described in terms chemistry by the understanding that it is a mutation in the order of genetic base pairs in the DNA of an organism. However chemistry cannot fully describe the process since it does not contain concepts, such as natural selection that are responsible for driving evolution. Chemistry is fundamental to biology since it provides methodology to study and understand the molecules that compose cells. Connections made by chemistry are formed through various sub-disciplines that utilize concepts from multiple scientific disciplines. Chemistry and physics are both needed in the areas of physical chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and theoretical chemistry. Chemistry and biology intersect in the areas of biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, molecular biology, chemical biology, molecular genetics, and immunochemistry. Chemistry and the earth sciences intersect in areas like geochemistry and hydrology. 2) where are you studying and why I minored in chemistry for my undergrad at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; I went to the U of M to study philosophy because I took college classes during high school there and developed a good relationship with one of the professors. Totally unrelated. 3) which university would you recommend, for what reasons Chemistry is such a general course and field of study; thus, I would recommend any school which is academically respected. I was accepted at the University of Miami (FL) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, both I believe are respected and have top-end chemistry labs.

Verybadman?
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Posted 06/26/08 - 10:03 AM:	#3
I'm currently studying Chemistry A level but intend to go on to degree level either studying medicine, chemistry, or biochmistry. melany wrote: 1) why do you study it I enjoy the subject very much, and I find it satisfying to do well in it. I also enjoy working with my teachers who I believe are a very skilled workforce to deal with the vast range in age and ability. melany wrote: 2) where are you studying and why Cardiff High school in Wales - It's the best (academically speaking) school in wales. melany wrote: 3) which university would you recommend, for what reasons I have been told that Bristol is great for studying science which is probably more reachable to say, Imperial college who tend to only accept those with close to full marks at Gcse and A level in everything. A hard goal to achieve I know.

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